Chinese robotics players are emerging as a major force at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2026), with a strong presence of humanoid robots set to take place in Las Vegas from January 4 to 9.
More than a dozen companies from China will exhibit at the event, joined by a record-sized delegation from Hong Kong.
Expected participants include Unitree Robotics, AgiBot, Galbot, EngineAI, Noetix Robotics, and the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Centre, also known as X-Humanoid, reports China online media outlets. Hangzhou-based Unitree plans to showcase its “next-generation humanoids”, while AgiBot will present its full product lineup.
Last week, Chinese robotics firm UBTech reached a key milestone by producing its 1,000th Walker S2 humanoid robot at its Liuzhou manufacturing facility.
China’s humanoid surge
China’s advances in humanoid robotics are no longer confined to research centers or industrial labs.
In Beijing, humanoid machines are now appearing in retail environments next to common consumer products, highlighting how quickly the technology is entering everyday commerce. This shift from experimentation to commercialization is set to gain international attention at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, where China’s growing influence in the sector will be prominently on display.
Official CES figures show that Chinese companies make up the majority of exhibitors in the humanoid robotics category this year. Of the 38 companies participating, 21 are from China, giving the country more than half of the total presence.
The group includes well-known names such as Unitree Robotics, alongside newcomers like AgiBot and Noetix Robotics, many of which are using the event to pursue international expansion, reports Ajupress.
The size and diversity of China’s showing highlights its growing influence in a sector widely viewed as a critical intersection of advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence.
Industry analysts note that the number of exhibitors suggests a broad, coordinated effort to establish leadership before the global humanoid market fully takes shape.
China’s advantage is also evident in intellectual property and production capability. Over the past five years, Chinese entities have filed 7,705 humanoid-related patents, compared with 1,561 in the United States, according to a December report by Morgan Stanley. At the same time, Chinese manufacturers are pushing rapidly toward large-scale production, reinforcing their lead beyond research and design, reports Ajupress.
China showcases AI
Chinese technology companies registered a major presence at CES 2026, with robotics, AI, and consumer electronics set to dominate their showcases.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Unitree sales manager Pedro Zheng invited visitors via LinkedIn last month to “experience” the company’s next-generation humanoid robots at the event. Hangzhou-based Unitree previously drew attention at CES with a range of humanoid and quadruped robots, underscoring the rapid expansion of its product lineup.
AgiBot, founded by former Huawei “Genius Youth” recruit Peng Zhihui, has also confirmed its participation. In a post on X, the Shanghai-based company said it would present its full product portfolio and industry-leading solutions.
Founding partner Yao Maoqing told the Global Times that the showcase reflects AgiBot’s ambition to build an ecosystem of humanoid robots capable of operating across industries, environments, and everyday life, moving beyond single-task machines toward embodied intelligence.
Chinese firms will face competition from global players such as Boston Dynamics, now owned by South Korean automaker Hyundai. Boston Dynamics announced last month that its new Atlas humanoid robot will make its public debut at CES 2026, according to SCMP.
The Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center will display several Tiangong Walker models, highlighting full autonomy and “one-brain, many-machines” coordination for industrial sorting and heavy-duty tasks. Booster Robotics will showcase its Booster K1 and T1 platforms, focusing on multitasking, scenario-ready robotic systems, according to the Global Times.
Beyond robotics, Chinese smart eyewear makers Rokid, Even Realities, and XReal are expected to exhibit, alongside robot vacuum cleaner brands Dreame Technology and Roborock. Lenovo Group will host its largest-ever Tech World event at CES as part of its “Hybrid AI” strategy, featuring speakers including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, AMD CEO Lisa Su, and Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan.
Hong Kong will also send its largest CES delegation to date, with 60 tech companies showcasing innovations across AI, health, smart cities, and sports technology.
